Carlo Ancelotti maintains Arsenal, Roma and Juventus “have not contacted me. I am taking a year off to look around and study how my colleagues work.”

The tactician is a free agent after he was sacked by Chelsea for ending the season empty-handed and had been expected to make a swift return to Serie A.

“Apart from a six-month spell, I have been working non-stop since 1995. I will take a year off to look around and study how my colleagues work,” he told La Stampa newspaper.

“I am not going to train anywhere next season, as I am in no hurry.”

Among others, Ancelotti had been linked with Arsenal, Aston Villa, a return to Juve or his beloved Roma.

“Arsenal? I haven't been contacted by any English club. As for Roma, I never spoke to anyone there and the rest was all fantasy. One day I will be the Coach of Roma, I have always said that, but it's still too early.

“As for Juventus, it's completely false to say they wanted me. I always had a strong rapport with President Andrea Agnelli, so if he wanted to call me, he could've done...”

Italian football has again been rocked by match-fixing allegations, this time tied in with betting syndicates in which Beppe Signori was implicated.

“I have been in football for 30 years and these are ugly stories. I hope not, but I fear it might be true. I was stunned by Signori. He is a good lad and I'm very sad to see him in this situation.

“There was a betting scandal 30 years ago, then Calciopoli and now this. Our football was already having some problems and really did not need another blow. The culture is different in England, where the result is not everything.”